Can You Drink Rat Milk?
WouterSome people have asked, “Can you drink rat milk?” The answer is a resounding “no.” Rats do not need milk in their diet, and the calcium in milk does not benefit them. On the other hand, many other foods rich in calcium are suitable for rats, including chicken bones, eggshells, and broccoli.
One study, by the Swedish professor Ingeborg Oftedal, examined milk from mole-rats. The milk contained nutrients and water but was low in energy. This is because the queen mole-rat must produce up to 58% of her body weight each day. The strategy seems to have a lot to do with the arid environment and the fact that mole-rats have birthday suits, so they do not have to spend as much energy as most mammals.
Besides the cheese, rat milk is also used for research on toxins, physiology, and other areas. Compared to cow milk, rat milk is three times as concentrated and contains a wide range of nutrients. It is low in carbohydrates and is high in protein and fat. The milk also contains ash. Researchers report the nitrogen content, total protein, and butterfat.
However, some rats do not digest milk and are incapable of digesting it. However, this does not mean that humans cannot drink rat milk. Rather than wasting our food resources on dairy and meat, we should switch our diet to plant-based milk instead. This way, we can reduce our impact on the environment and conserve resources.
